19 replies to this topic

[jealbrecht]

Hi again!

 

Does anybody know if Cymbalta can alter blood readings of glucose and cholesterol?

[FiveNotions]

jealbrecht

By any chance have you gained weight since you've been on Cymbalta? That could contribute to the higher readings, I think. I had high glucose and high cholesterol, as well as high blood pressure, while on the stuff. All those are pretty much normalized now (although I do have somewhat borderline high bp, but I take clonidine for anxiety which seems to fix the bp also, as it's primarily a bp med).

I'm going to have to do some research for you, unless one of the other members can answer this more definitely. I also looked through the forum archives, and found a couple of mentions of the high cholesterol ... but I think both of the members who made the comments also reported gaining weight.

I'll get back to you as soon as I've done some more looking for you.

https://www.cymbalta...terol#entry2756

https://www.cymbalta...gh +cholesterol

[FiveNotions]

Yes, even according to the FDA drug prescribing instructions for Cymbalta, it can cause elevated blood glucose and cholesterol.

http://www.accessdat...1427s030lbl.pdf

What are your readings? (I'm assuming you just had lab tests done?)

[jealbrecht]

FN, you are very kind! Thank you. I did a little research, and it looks like it can raise both glucose levels AND cholesterol levels. Well, golly gee! Now what?!?!?!?

[jealbrecht]

FN, yes, I had labs done at the end of May, and last week - so 4 months apart. Over all cholesterol # is fine, but the LDL-P and small LDL-P have risen, along with glucose, but not bad on that. It was 90, now is 95. The Hemoglobin A1c is .1 above normal (that measure the body's ability to process sugar over the past 3 months.)

 

My thyroid is a little off, but we've been working on that with bio-identical meds for a while. I have the feeling nothing can be conclusive until I get off the meds. My weight went down last fall (by design), my muscle % went up, BUT, my weight is now up. WTF? 

 

I have a relatively low carb diet. I do like a glass or two of red wine on the weekends, and a little dark chocolate. I'm exercising 4-5 times/week, which is way more than I could post hip replacement! It just doesn't add up. I'm 58, and, other than this stuff, look and feel better than I did 10 years ago!

[FiveNotions]

crapalta screws with just about every system in the body ... I had elevated cholesterol, blood sugar, weird liver readings, you name it ... I also ended with hypertension and tachycardia ... and was put meds for those conditions ... and, I gained 30 pounds ...with zero change in what I was eating...

Now, at almost 10 months off, I've lost all the weight, the heart problems are gone (no tachycardia, and just the borderline sort of high bp) ... liver is normal, blood glucose, etc ...

Just give your brain / body time to readjust and normalize ... and try to avoid letting your doc convince you to go on a new med for every little issue ...

[jealbrecht]

Yes, one of my liver enzymes elevated. That really catches my attention, as I had a big problem with crazy elevated liver enzyme levels after bout of Percocet years ago. Had to stop all drugs and supplements immediately! That was fun!

I've see both my GYN, who prescribed the Cymbalta, and my functional medicine doc, in the next two weeks. I have the healthcare Center mail me my results, so I could go over them before I'm with either doc.

My take is we're not changing anything until I'm off Cymbalta, and stabilized. No statins for me!

Geesh. Thought I was getting out of the last 3 years of hip hell, with a side of med hell. Now it's about Cymbalta weaning hell. Ah, we'll get through it! 👍

[FiveNotions]

why did your GYN prescribe Cymbalta? was is for post-partum depression? do you have a therapist/shrink? GYN's know even less than other docs about this poison....

[jealbrecht]

FN, it's a loooong story. Mainly from years of hip pain, and blowing out a lumbar disk. I was at my wits end with not knowing what pain was from what. I just burst into tears in her office. She's pretty holistic, and must have seen my pain and anxiety. I do have a psychotherapist. Looking back, I can't say it was a bad decision, as I think it helped me through another 12 months till hip replacement, and another year of recovery. But I'm now feeling strong enough to get off it!

[DoneWithCrap]

Just thought I would confirm what you already know. My blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol are all high too. My cholesterol has always been high but has been even higher with cymbalta. Before I started taking it I never had a problem with BP or sugar levels.

With my current taper I won't be cymbalta free for at least a couple months (I'm currently on around 15mg down from 60mg).
It will be interesting to see if my levels return to pre-cymbalta levels once I'm off the poison.

[TryinginFL]

Renee...

 

It's so good to see Benzo again - I have missed him!   Congratulations on your continuing taper - you're doing a great job!

 

How are you feeling now?  Hopefully, you are seeing more and more good days...

 

Hang tough, girl - you'll make it!!

Liz

[DoneWithCrap]

Thank you Liz,
I have been doing better! I have had GI problems and the weakness on my right side continues to be a problem but my brain zaps and migraines are becoming less and less but my vision is still blurry.

Benzo is getting so big! He starts puppy kindergarten this Friday

I have been making dog leashes to hopefully sell at a craft show in November. It helps my mind when I keep busy. I make them out of 550 paracord which is wide enough for me to see as opposed to sewing where I can't see the thread.

[FiveNotions]

jealbrecht,

Geez Louise ... Why in the hell did you let a GYN prescribe for pain related to hip and back surgery?

 

Holistic is one thing, and a good thing ... but "holistic" doesn't mean "universal" Do you have a specialist for the hip and back? That's who should be working with you on the meds for that.

 

Do you still see you shrink? Does your shrink know about the Cymbalta?

Anyway, all that aside, I think you've made an excellent decision to get off the Cymbalta, and you're doing very well with the process!!! Yay!!

How's the hip/lumbar pain now? Are you using any other meds to deal with it? And, do you have the proper doc for those issues?

[FiveNotions]

Renee and Benzo !!!!

 

Renee, what a wonderful progress report!! And Benzo goes to kindergarten ... there's a great children's book idea ... although, not sure "Benzo" would be a "child appropriate" doggy name

 

Can you post a pic of the leashes you're making? Or a link to a pic on the 'net? That's a great craft sale item ... and I assume you'll have Benzo there to "model" them?

[jealbrecht]

FN, thanks so much for your care and concern!

 

Yes, I have other basis covered really well. No more hip pain, no more back pain, I'm off Lyrica (prescribed by my back doc; I resisted it for a year), and every medical person I work with knows what's happening. IT was just a total clusterf*ck there for a while!

[jealbrecht]

Renee, I have a business partner who also has an online pet supply store. If you're interested in talking with him about your leashes, let me know! I'm also happy to email him a pic and 'introduce' you two.  

[FiveNotions]

hahahahah .... "total cluster-f**k" is certainly the way to describe most of this process, isn't it? That should be included in the "black box" warning the FDA required Lilly to add to the crapalta instructions ....

[FiveNotions]

jealbrecht, did you know that Renee also has her own recipe for home-made puppy/dog food? She posted about it shortly after she got "Benzo the Wonder Dog" ... sounded so yummy I'd eat it for sure!

[jealbrecht]

FN, I did not! We have pet fish, if you can call them pets! I know my friend has the best dog shampoo around, and a neat bike attachment so people can safely ride their bike with their dogs attached. Almost makes me want a puppy...almost.

[DoneWithCrap]

Hi jealbrecht,
I would love to virtually meet your business partner whom has the online pet supply store!
I'm just making my stuff up as I go. There is a lot to learn in this area for me.
I have been making leashes with 550 paracord and have both bought it at an army surplus store and ordered it online. It is the hardware that I'm having a hard time selecting. I went to the hardware store for hardware I have used on the few leashes I have made so far but I want to make matching collars and can't buy high quality buckles in stores.

I will try to figure out how to post pictures of my leashes.

I was only planning to sell them at a local craft show but if people will buy them, I would sell them online. I'm such a perfectionist that I only make 1 or 2 a day lol. Hopefully now that I have my designs figured out, I will be able to make them faster